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He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Tit 1:9 (ESV) We regard the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (excepting the assertions regarding the identity of the antichrist [26:4]) as an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of the Word of God. Because we acknowledge the Word of God written to be the supreme authority in all matters of faith, morals, and order, we adopt this historic document as our doctrinal standard; an assistance in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Preface to the Second London Baptist Confession 1677 In the name and behalf of the whole assembly. To The Judicial and Impartial Reader Courteous Reader, It is now many years since divers of us (with other sober Christians then living and walking in the way of the Lord that we profess) did conceive our selves to be under a necessity of Publishing a Confession of our Faith, for the information, and satisfaction of those, that did not thoroughly understand what our principles were, or had entertained prejudices against our Profession, by reason of the strange representation of them, by some men of note, who had taken very wrong measures, and accordingly led others into misapprehensions, of us, and them: and this was first put forth about the year, 1643 in the name of seven Congregations then gathered in London; since which time, diverse impressions thereof have been dispersed abroad, and our end proposed, in good measure answered, inasmuch as many (and some of those men eminent, both for piety and learning) were thereby satisfied, that we were no way guilty of those Heterodoxies and fundamental errors, which had too frequently been charged upon us without ground, or occasion given on our part. And forasmuch, as that Confession is not now commonly to be had; and also that many others have since embraced the same truth which is owned therein; it was judged necessary by us to join together in giving a testimony to the world; of our firm adhering to those wholesome Principles, by the publication of this which is now in your hand. And forasmuch as our method, and manner of expressing our sentiments, in this, doth vary from the former (although the substance of the matter is the same) we shall freely impart to you the reason and occasion thereof. One thing that greatly prevailed with us to undertake this work, was (not only to give a full account of our selves, to those Christians that differ from us about the subject of Baptism, but also) the profit that might from thence arise, unto those that have any account of our labours, in their instruction, and establishment in the great truths of the Gospel; in the clear understanding, and steady belief of which, our comfortable walking with God, and fruitfulness before him, in all our ways, is most nearly concerned; and therefore we did conclude it necessary to express our selves the more fully, and distinctly; and also to fix on such a method as might be most comprehensive of those things which we designed to explain our sense, and belief of; and finding no defect, in this regard, in that fixed on by the assembly, and after them by those of the Congregational way, we did readily conclude it best to retain the same order in our present confession: and also, when we observed that those last mentioned, did in their confession (for reasons which seemed of weight both to themselves and others) choose not only to express their mind in words concurrent with the former in sense, concerning all those articles wherein they were agreed, but also for the most part without any variation of the terms we did in like manner conclude it best to follow their example in making use of the very same words with them both, in these articles (which are very many) wherein our faith and doctrine is the same with theirs, and this we did, the more abundantly, to manifest our consent with both, in all the fundamental articles of the Christian Religion, as also with many others, whose orthodox confessions have been published to the world; on behalf of the Protestants in divers Nations and Cities: and also to convince all, that we have no itch to clog Religion with new words, but do readily acquiesce in that form of sound words, which hath been, in consent with the holy Scriptures, used by others before us; hereby declaring before God, Angels, & Men, our hearty agreement with them, in that wholesome Protestant Doctrine, which with so clear evidence of Scriptures they have asserted: some things indeed, are in some places added, some terms omitted, and some few changed, but these alterations are of that nature, as that we need not doubt, any charge or suspicion of unsoundness in the faith, from any of our brethren upon the account of them. In those things wherein we differ from others, we have expressed our selves with all candour and plainness that none might entertain jealousy of ought secretly lodged in our breasts, that we would not the world should be acquainted with; yet we hope we have also observed those rules of modesty, and humility, as will render our freedom in this respect inoffensive, even to those whose sentiments are different from ours. We have also taken care to affix texts of Scripture, in the margin for the confirmation of each article in our confession; in which work we have studiously endeavoured to select such as are most clear and pertinent, for the proof of what is asserted by us: and our earnest desire is, that all into whose hands this may come, would follow that (never enough commended) example of the noble Bereans, who searched the Scriptures daily, that they might find out whether the things preached to them were so or not. There is one thing more which we sincerely profess, and earnestly desire credence in, viz. That contention is most remote from our design in all that we have done in this matter: and we hope the liberty of an ingenuous unfolding our principles, and opening our hearts unto our Brethren, with the Scripture grounds on which our faith and practise leans, will by none of them be either denied to us, or taken ill from us. Our whole design is accomplished, if we may obtain that Justice, as to be measured in our principles, and practise, and the judgement of both by others, according to what we have now published; which the Lord (whose eyes are as a flame of fire) knows to be the doctrine, which with our hearts we must firmly believe, and sincerely endeavour to conform our lives to. And oh that other contentions being laid asleep, the only care and contention of all upon whom the name of our blessed Redeemer is called, might for the future be, to walk humbly with their God, and in the exercise of all Love and Meekness towards each other, to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, each one endeavouring to have his conversation such as becomes the Gospel; and also suitable to his place and capacity vigorously to promote in others the practice of true Religion and undefiled in the sight of God and our Father. And that in this backsliding day, we might not spend our breath in fruitless complaints of the evils of others; but may every one begin at home, to reform in the first place our own hearts, and ways; and then to quicken all that we may have influence upon, to the same work; that if the will of God were so, none might deceive themselves, by resting in, and trusting to, a form of Godliness, without the power of it, and inward experience of the efficacy of those truths that are professed by them. And verily there is one spring and cause of the decay of Religion in our day, which we cannot but touch upon, and earnestly urge a redress of; and that is the neglect of the worship of God in Families, by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed. May not the gross ignorance, and instability of many; with the profainess of others, be justly charged upon their Parents and Masters; who have not trained them up in the way wherein they ought to walk when they were young, but have neglected those frequent and solemn commands which the Lord hath laid upon them so to catechise, and instruct them, that their tender years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures; and also by their own omission of Prayer, and other duties of Religion in their families, together with the ill example of their loose conversation, have inured them first to a neglect, and then contempt of all Piety and Religion? We know this will not excuse the blindness, or wickedness of any; but certainly it will fall heavy upon those that have thus been the occasion thereof; they indeed dye in their sins; but will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were, who yet permitted them to go on without warning, yea led them into the paths of destruction, and will not the diligence of Christians with respect to the discharge of these duties, in ages past, rise up in judgment against, and condemn many of those who would be esteemed such now? We shall conclude with our earnest prayer, that the God of all grace, will pour out those measures of his holy Spirit upon us, that the profession of truth may be accompanied with the sound belief, and diligent practise of it by us; that his name may in all things be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
WE the MINISTERS and MESSENGERS of and concerned for upwards of one hundred baptized congregations in England and Wales (denying Arminianism), being met together in London, from the third of the seventh month to the eleventh of the same, 1689, to consider of some things that might be for the glory of God, and the good of these congregations, have thought meet (for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of Baptism) to recommend to their perusal the confession of our faith, which confession we own, as containing the doctrine of our faith and practice, and do desire that the members of our churches respectively do furnish themselves therewith,
CONFESSION OF FAITH Put forth by the ELDERS and BRETHREN Of many CONGREGATIONS OF Christians (baptized upon Profession of their faith) With the Heart man believeth unto righteousness, and
with the CONTENTS CHAPTER 1
OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
1. Of the Holy Scriptures 1. The Holy Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience (a). Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable, yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto salvation (b). Therefore it pleased the Lord at different times, and in various manners to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His church (c); and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased (d). a. 2 Tim 3:15-17; Is 8:20; Lk 16:29,31; Eph 2:20. b. Rom 1:19-21; 2:14,15; Ps 19:1-3. c. Heb 1:1. d. Pr 22:19-21; Rom 15:4; 2 Pet 1:19,20. 2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testament, which are these: Of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Epistle to the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second and third Epistles of John, the Epistle of Jude, the Revelation. All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life (a). a. 2 Tim 3:16. 3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of (f) divine inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scriptures, and therefore are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of than other human writings (a). a. Lk 24:27,44; Rom 3:2. 4. The Authority of the Holy Scriptures, for which they ought to be believed, depends not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon (g) God (who is truth it self), the Author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God (a). a. 2 Pet 1:19-21; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Jn 5:9. 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God, to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts (a). a. Jn 16:13,14; 1 Cor 2:10-12; 1 Jn 2:20,27. 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, are either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scriptures: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men (a). Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word (b), and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed (c). a. 2 Tim 3:15-17; Gal 1:8,9. b. Jn 6:45; 1 Cor 2:9-12. c. 1 Cor 11:13,14;14:26,40. 7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all (a); yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them (b). a. 2 Pet 3:16. b. Ps 19:7;119:130. 8. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old) (a), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them (b). But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read (c) and search them (d), therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come (e), that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope (f). a. Rom 3:2. b. Is 8:20. c. Acts 15:15. d. Jn 5:39. e. 1 Cor 14:6,9,11,12,24,28. f. Col 3:16. 9. The infallible rule of the interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly (a). a. 2 Pet 1:20,21; Acts 15:15,16. 10. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved (a). a. Mt 22:29,31,32; Eph 2:20; Acts 28:23. 2. Of God and the Holy Trinity 1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God (a); whose subsistence is in and of Himself (b), infinite in being and perfection, whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself (c); a most pure spirit (d), invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto (e); who is immutable (f), immense (g), eternal (h), incomprehensible, almighty (i), every way infinite, most holy (j), most wise, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will (l) for His own glory (m), most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (n), and withal most just and terrible in His judgements (o), hating all sin (p), and who will by no means clear the guilty (q). a. 1 Cor 8:4,6; Deut 6:4. b. Jer 10:10; Is 48:12. c. Ex 3:14. d. Jn 4:24. e. 1 Tim 1:17; Deut 4:15,16. f. Mal 3:6. g. 1 Kings 8:27; Jer 23:23. h. Ps 90:2. i. Gen 17:1. j. Is 6:3. k. Ps 115:3; Is 46:10. l. Pr 16:4; Rom 11:36. m. Ex 34:6,7; Heb 11:6. n. Neh 9:32,33. o. Ps 5:5,6. p. Ex 34:7; Nah 1:2,3. 2. God, having all life (a), glory (b), goodness (c), blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them (d), but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things (e), and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, and upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases (f); in His sight all things are open and manifest (g), His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain (h); He is most holy in all His Counsels, in all His works (i), and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men whatsoever worship (j), service, or obedience as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them. a. Jn 5:26. b. Ps 148:13. c. Ps 119:68. d. Job 22:2,3. e. Rom 11:34-36. f. Dan 4:25,34,35. g. Heb 4:13. h. Ezek 11:5; Acts 15:18. i. Ps 145:17. j. Rev 5:12-14. 3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word (or Son), and the Holy Spirit (a), of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided (b): the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father (c); the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son (d); all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on Him. a. 1 Jn 5:7; Mt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14. b. Ex 3:14; Jn 14:11; 1 Cor 8:6. c. Jn 1:14,18. d. Jn 15:26; Gal 4:6. 3. Of God’s Decree 1. God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass (a); yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein (b); nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established (c); in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree (d). a. Is 46:10; Eph 1:11; Heb 6:17; Rom 9:15,18. b. Jam 1:13-15,17; 1 Jn 1:5. c. Acts 4:27,28; Jn 19:11. d. Num 23:19; Eph 1:3-5. 2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions (a), yet has He not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions (b). a. Acts 15:18. b. Rom 9:11,13,16,18. 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or fore-ordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ (a), to the praise of His glorious grace (b); others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice (c). a. 1 Tim 5:21; Mt 25:34. b. Eph 1:5,6. c. Rom 9:22,23; Jude 4. 4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increase, or diminished (a). a. 2 Tim 2:19; Jn 13:18. 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, has chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love (a), without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto (b). a. Eph 1:4,9,11; Rom 8:30; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Thess 5:9. b. Rom 9:13,16; Eph 1:6,12; 2:5,12. 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He has, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto (a); wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ (b), are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified (c), and kept by His power through faith unto salvation (d); neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only (e). a. 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Thess 2:13. b. 1 Thess 5:9,10. c. Rom 8:30; 2 Thess 2:13. d. 1 Pet 1:5. e. Jn 6:64; 10:26; 17:9. 7. The Doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election (a); so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise (b), reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility (c), diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel (d). a. 1 Thess 1:4,5; 2 Pet 1:10. b. Eph 1:6; Rom 11:33. c. Rom 11:5,6,20. d. Lk 10:20. 4. Of Creation 1. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (a), for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power (b), wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible and invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good (c). a. Job 26:13; Jn 1:2,3; Heb 1:2 b. Rom 1:20 c. Gen 1:31; Col 1:16 2. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female (a), with reasoning and immortal souls (b), rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness (c); having the law of God written in their hearts (d), and power to fulfil it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change (e). a. Gen 1:27 b. Gen 2:7; Ecc 12:7; Lk 23:43; Mt 10:28 c. Gen 1:26; Ecc 7:29; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10 d. Rom 2:14,15 e. Gen 3:6; Ecc 7:29 3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (a), which whilst they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures (b). a. Gen 2:17 b. Gen 1:26,28 5. Of Divine Providence 1. God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power, and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, and things (a), from the greatest even to the least (b), by His most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created; according unto His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will; to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy (c). a. Heb 1:3; Job 38:11; Is 46: 10,11; Ps 135:6 b. Mt 10:29-31 c. Eph 1:11 2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly (a); so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence (b); yet by the same providence He orders them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently (c). a. Acts 2:23 b. Pr 16:33 c. Gen 8:22 3. God, in His ordinary providence makes use of means (a); yet is free to work without (b), above (c), and against them (d) at His pleasure. a. Acts 27:31,44; Is 55:10,11 b. Hos 1:7 c. Rom. 4:19-21 d. Dan 3:27 4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate counsel extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels, and men (a); and that not by a bare permission, which also He most wisely and powerfully binds, and otherwise orders and governs (b), in a manifold dispensation to His most holy ends (c); yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceeds only from the creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the author or approver of sin (d). a. Rom 11:32-34; 2 Sam 24:1; 1 Chron 21:1 b. 2 Kings 19:28; Ps 76:10 c. Gen 50:20; Is 10:6,7,12 d. Ps 50:21; 1 Jn 2:16 5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends (a). So that whatsoever befalls any of His elect is by His appointment, for His glory, and their good (b). a. 2 Chron 32:25,26,31; 2 Cor 12:7-9 b. Rom 8:28 6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sin doth blind and harden (a); from them he not only withholds His grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts (b); but sometimes also withdraws the gifts which they had (c), and exposes them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin (d); and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan (e), whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves even under those means which God uses for the softening of others (f). a. Rom 1:24-26,28; 11:7,8 b. Deut 29:4 c. Mt 13:12 d. Deut 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12,13 e. Ps 81:11,12; 2 Thess 2:10-12 f. Ex 8:15,32; Is 6:9,10; 1 Pet 2:7,8 7. As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so after a most special manner it takes care of His Church, and disposes of all things to the good thereof (a). a. 1 Tim 4:10; Amos 9:8,9; Is 43:3-5 6.
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, 1. Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof (a), yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to seduce Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did wilfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit (b), which God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory. a. Gen. 2:16,17. b. Gen 3:12,13; 2 Cor 11:3. 2. Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them, whereby death came upon all (a): all becoming dead in sin (b), and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body (c). a. Rom 3:23. b. Rom 5:12. c. Tit 1:15; Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10-19. 3. They being the root, and by God’s appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation (a), being now conceived in sin (b), and by nature children of wrath (c), the servants of sin, the subjects of death (d), and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free (e). a. Rom 5:12-19; 1 Cor 15:21,22.45,49. b. Ps 51:5; Job 14:4. c. Eph 2:3. d. Rom 6:20; 5:12. e. Heb 2:14,15; 1 Thess 1:10. 4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil (a), do proceed all actual transgressions (b). a. Rom 8:7; Col 1:21. b. Jam 1:14,15; Mt 15:19. 5. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated (a); and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly sin (b). a. Rom 7:18,23; Ecc 7:20; 1 Jn 1:8. b. Rom 7:23-25; Gal 5:17. 7. Of God’s Covenant 1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant (a). a. Lk 17:10; Job 35:7,8. 2. Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace (a), wherein He freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved (b); and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe (c). a. Gen 2:17; Gal 3:10; Rom 3:20,21. b. Rom 8:3; Mk 16:15,16; Jn 3:16. c. Ezek 36:26,27; Jn 6:44,45; Ps 110:3. 3. This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman (a), and afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament (b); and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect (c); and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all of the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and a blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency (d). a. Gen 3:15. b. Heb 1:1. c. 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 1:2. d. Heb 11:6, 13; Rom 4:1,2; Acts 4:12; Jn 8:56. 8. Of Christ the Mediator 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man (a); the Prophet (b), Priest (c) and King (d); head and Saviour of His church (e), the heir of all things (f), and judge of the world (g); unto whom He did from all eternity give a people to be His seed, and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified (h). a. Is 42:1; 1 Pet 1:19,20. b. Acts 3:22. c. Heb 5:5,6. d. Ps 2:6; Lk 1:33. e. Eph 1:22,23. f. Heb 1:2. g. Acts 17:31. h. Is 53:10; Jn 17:6; Rom 8:30. 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He hath made, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof (a), yet without sin (b); being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowing her, and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David, according to the Scriptures (c); so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man (d). a. Jn 1:14; Gal 4:4. b. Rom 8:3; Heb 2:14, 16,17; 4:15. c. Mt 1:22,23; Lk 1:27, 31, 35. d. Rom 9:5; 1 Tim 2:5. 3. The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure (a), having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (b); in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell (c), to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled (d), and full of grace and truth (e), He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a mediator and surety (f); which office He took not upon Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father (g); who also put all power and judgement in His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same (h). a. Ps 45:7; Acts 10:38; Jn 3:34. b. Col 2:3. c. Col 1:19. d. Heb 7:26. e. Jn 1:14. f. Heb 7:22. g. Heb 5:5. h. Jn 5:22, 27; Mt 28:18; Acts 2:36. 4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake (a), which that He might discharge He was made under the law (b), and did perfectly fulfil it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have borne and suffered (c), being made sin and a curse for us (d); enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body (e); was crucified, and died, and remaining in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption (f): and on the third day He arose from the dead (g) with the same body in which he suffered (h), with which He also ascended into heaven (i), and there sits at the right hand of His Father, making intercession (j), and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world (k). a. Ps 40:7-8; Heb 10:5-10; Jn 10:18. b. Gal 4:4; Mt 3:15. c. Gal 3:13; Is 53:6; 1 Pet 3:18. d. 2 Cor 5:21. e. Mt 26:37,38; Lk 22:44; Mt 27:46. f. Acts 13:37. g. 1 Cor 15:3,4. h. Jn 20:25, 27. i. Mk 16:19; Acts 1:9-11. j. Rom 8:34; Heb 9:24. k. Acts 10:42; Rom 14:9,10; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet 2:4. 5. The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of God (a), procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him (b). a. Heb 9:14; 10:14; Rom 3:25,26. b. Jn 17:2; Heb 9:15. 6. Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent's head (a); and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (b), being the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever (c). a. 1 Cor 4:10; Heb 4:2; 1 Pet 1:10,11. b. Rev 13:8. c. Heb 13:8. 7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature (a). a. Jn 3:13; Acts 20:28. 8. To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, He doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them (a); uniting them to Himself by His Spirit, revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mystery of salvation, persuading them to believe and obey (b), governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit (c), and overcoming all their enemies by His mighty power and wisdom (d), in such manner and ways as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of f |
